There's nothing like seeing your favorite band live. Witnessing (and taking part) in a rock or metal concert can be an exhilarating experience, and the 10 bands up for Best Live Act of 2014 in the 4th Annual Loudwire Music Awards are keeping that experience exciting.

These 10 acts are hard-touring groups, giving thousands of fans the time of their lives every single night. Whether they headlined one of 2014's biggest festivals or embarked on tours of their own, these are the nominees for Best Live Act of 2014.

  • Duane Prokop, Getty Images
    Duane Prokop, Getty Images
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    A Day to Remember

    A Day to Remember mix a unique blend of hardcore and pop punk, so naturally, that's what you'll get at a live show. Along with quality music, you'll experience brutal circle pits and good-natured bouncing as well. Those are just a couple of a reasons why you'll always have a blast at an A Day to Remember show.

  • Kathy Flynn, WickedGoddessPhotography.com
    Kathy Flynn, WickedGoddessPhotography.com
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    Avenged Sevenfold

    Avenged Sevenfold headlined this year's Mayhem Festival. Supporting their sixth studio album, 'Hail to the King,' A7X played to gigantic crowds around North America. Fans don't come much more rabid than Avenged Sevenfold's, so expect a serious level of energy whenever checking the band out.

  • Spencer Kaufman, Loudwire
    Spencer Kaufman, Loudwire
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    Bring Me the Horizon

    Bring Me the Horizon had been metalcore titans for a while before breaking into the mainstream in the last couple of years. The British band commands mass attention from their vast fan base, especially with new material from their stellar 'Sempiternal' album and the charismatic stage presence of frontman Oli Sykes.

  • Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com
    Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com
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    Five Finger Death Punch

    Five Finger Death Punch are a band best experienced live, as frontman Ivan Moody knows how to whip a crowd into a frenzy! FFDP's fight-friendly sound gets your primal side going, so when the band hits the stage, energy ramps up from 0 to 100 instantly, as evidenced by the band's co-headlining tour with Volbeat in 2014.

  • Ethan Miller, Getty Images
    Ethan Miller, Getty Images
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    Judas Priest

    Judas Priest embarked on their 'Redeemer of Souls' tour this year, delivering the best live performances the band has put forth in years. Guitarist Richie Faulkner has seemingly re-ignited the heavy metal spark which first launched the phenomenal band. Rob Halford also deserves highest honors, shrieking like only the 'Metal God' can.

  • Liz Ramanand, Loudwire
    Liz Ramanand, Loudwire
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    Korn

    With Brian 'Head' Welch back within their ranks, Korn played some tremendous shows in 2014. As one of the headliners for this year's Mayhem Festival, they made thousands of fans jump before doing it once again as direct support for Slipknot's 'Prepare for Hell' tour.

  • Kathy Flynn, WickedGoddessPhotography.com
    Kathy Flynn, WickedGoddessPhotography.com
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    Linkin Park

    To support their 'Hunting Party' album, Linkin Park hit the road for a good part of 2014, perhaps most notably on the 'Carnivores' tour. Headlining over 30 Seconds to Mars and AFI, Linkin Park cranked away monster sets with their acclaimed 21st century discography.

  • James Stafford, Loudwire
    James Stafford, Loudwire
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    Mastodon

    Mastodon have been criticized for their live vocals in the past, but holy hell did the band deliver in 2014. As one of modern metal's most innovative acts, they've already got the material, but while touring alongside Gojira and Kvelertak, Mastodon hit their stride and became an essential live act for all.

  • Liz Ramanand, Loudwire
    Liz Ramanand, Loudwire
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    Slipknot

    Slipknot may put on the most insane stage show in the metal world. With Satanic imagery, fire, pure hatred and nine maniacs tearing up arenas and festivals, Slipknot are one of heavy music's quintessential live bands. Their 'Prepare for Hell' tour was truly jaw-dropping as the band delivered psychotic performances in brand new masks.

  • Liz Ramanand, Loudwire
    Liz Ramanand, Loudwire
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    Steel Panther

    Steel Panther have won this category two years in a row and are looking to take the gold once again. As one of heavy metal's most hard-touring bands, the Panther spent much of 2014 on the road promoting their third studio album, 'All You Can Eat.' They even opened for Judas Priest on their 'Redeemer of Souls' tour.

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